A senior railway official said dense fog could disrupt travel plans, particularly for long-distance passengers. Such disruptions may cause travellers to miss connecting trains and leave passengers waiting for hours at railway stations. Against this backdrop, railway authorities have stressed the importance of preparing for the fog season, following prescribed safety rules, increasing staff vigilance and improving coordination among personnel involved in train operations.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajneesh Agrawal recently participated in a seminar where railway officials discussed the precautions required to ensure safe and smooth train operations during the fog season. The discussions focused on following prescribed safety guidelines, maintaining heightened alertness among railway employees and exercising additional caution in conditions where visibility is reduced.
Railway authorities instructed employees to treat safety as their highest priority and perform their duties with complete vigilance and responsibility. Staff alertness, coordination and strict adherence to safety regulations remain essential to maintaining safe train operations during challenging weather conditions.
Fog-related disruptions continue to be a concern for railway passengers, particularly in North India, where dense fog during winter significantly reduces visibility in the early morning and late-night hours. Trains passing through fog-affected areas operate at reduced speeds for safety reasons, affecting their scheduled timings and potentially resulting in delays of several hours.
For passengers, the consequences often extend beyond longer journey times. Travellers may face disruptions to their plans, while those waiting at stations, including elderly people, children and families travelling with luggage, may experience additional difficulties when train arrival and departure times remain uncertain. Delays can also affect passengers holding tickets for connecting trains, while last-minute schedule changes may force travellers to revise their onward travel arrangements.
To address these operational challenges, railway officials are reviewing the precautions and arrangements required for safe train operations under low-visibility conditions. The emphasis is on ensuring that railway staff remain alert, follow prescribed safety measures and perform their duties with particular care whenever fog affects visibility. Officials have reiterated the need for strict compliance with established rules and instructions throughout the fog season.
Train punctuality is affected by several factors, including dense fog. To reduce delays and improve punctuality, Indian Railways has directed that signal-sighting boards, whistle boards, fog signal posts and identified busy and sensitive level-crossing gates prone to accidents be properly painted or fitted with reflective yellow-and-black strips to improve visibility. This work must be completed well before the fog season begins.
Railway authorities are also emphasising responsible working practices among employees, recognising the difficult operating conditions that can arise during the fog season. Strict compliance with safety regulations, caution at every stage of train movement and effective coordination among railway personnel are considered essential to managing the challenges posed by reduced visibility.
With winter fog threatening to disrupt train schedules, Indian Railways' preparations centre on strengthening operational vigilance, improving the visibility of critical railway infrastructure and ensuring that staff follow established safety procedures. These measures are intended to support safe and smooth train movement while helping railway authorities manage disruptions as effectively as possible.
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